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DSP amplifier

Greetings everyone. I own a 2006 BMW 325i with a DSP amplifier. While the radio worked upon purchase, it stopped functioning about one year later. BMW offered to warranty the part; however, the shop determined the amp was rusted and damaged from an accident (body work and visual inspection validate their assertion).

Does anyone have the part or know a reliable source?

I would also welcome instructions on how to change it out myself. Aside from programming, it appears simple.

Re: Replace with a JL audio amp if possible

Two types of amps in 3 series models (so I'm told). Standard and DSP. "Certain BMWs were equipped with what is known as Digital Sound Processing (DSP). DSP is a RG174 coaxial input instead of wires from the BMW CD Changer into the factory amplifier. BMW sometimes refers to this as "premium sound"".

Re:You should stil be able to do it

You should still be able to do it if its electrics and not fiber optics.
I heard there is a Fiber optic connection between some of the components in the 06 and above. If its still electric it should still have hot and neutral. I researched after market Interface for the Ipod and called ICE to see if there standard one would work for me and that were I learned that the 06 and later models require a fiber optic interface for some of the components like the ipod interface. Difference in price for those modules is substantial 200 for regular and 600 for fiber optic.

Re: It looks like I'm wrong

After scanning the boards it looks like this is a Fiberoptic based system and it can not be disturbed as it communicates with other computer in the system. I read some story about people replacing the head unit really messing up other parts of the car.

I bet there are people working on this(nt).

I know bavsound is working on an aftermarket amp according to there
web site , for 06 and later. If there is one way communication to the amp from the head it
still might be possible but if the amp communicates status or anything back to the head unit via the bus it will be much harder . In the case of the one way communication there is still a chance that it could be done with fiberoptic to RCA conversion device.

better explination

Thereīs several buses in the car. The Radio (all radios) get vehicle informations such as speed, reverse, ignition etc. through the can-bus.

Adaptors / connectors for the Can bus are availble that can be used to generate those signals for an aftermarket deck (even BMW sells them through their parts department in Europe).

For all entertainment then thereīs the M-Bus. Thats what the Radio talks to the Logic 7 and the changer on. If you rip out the radio you simply loose that bus, but if you donīt have Logic7 or a BMW changer you donīt need it. The stock speaker setup though can still be driven by an aftermarket deck. Itīs still a regular speaker set powered by the amps in the Radio.

With i-drive, thereīs no way to replace with an aftermarket deck. The car would go into fits with the CCC missing. Besides, youīd have the hump and a dead monitor.

Possible solution?

http://www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/amplifier_4.asp
The last thing I read on the previous thread led me to this .
The people on this thread are using these Blaupunks as a solution.
They say the 10 speaker amp is not part of the bus system in the 10 speaker system I think. It looks like these guys are in Europe.

Re: DSP amplifier

The OEM HiFi input and output wires are all located and centralized in the trunk OEM audio connector. The only wires in the back of the OEM HU/iDrive are the outputs, so unless you are planning to replace all the OEM wires inside the doors then it is better, easier and more effective just to use the centralized wiring location in the trunk for everything.

I will be offering a custom harness that will plug right into that OEM audio connector in the trunk -removing it completely- so no OEM wires need to be cut or splice into a new aftermarket amp. All the wires will be labeled, RCA plugs for the OEM HU/iDrive 5V balanced low level signals and a remote turn on signal will be included. It should be ready for sale by early/mid January.

Any 5- or 6-channel amp could be used to drive the 6-channels that the OEM amp ouputs, especially if the plan is to replace the OEM woofers with SWS-8 while keeping the rest of the OEM speakers. The problem with the OEM woofers is that if you pound them with excessive power they eventually fail. As long as their bass limitations are understood, the OEM woofers will benefit of the increased power most of the time.

A 6-channel amp will keep the stereo effect in the woofers, a 5-channel amp will make the woofers play in mono. This matters only if you want the woofers to carry some midbass as it has a stereo component in it.

I normally recommend the Jl Audio G6600 because in paper its specs and features match perfectly to the OEM HU outputs and OEM speakers capabilities while providing a solid increase in power over the OEM amp. This is the amp that I will be using to introduce the custom harness just before introduction for sale.

Re: You are stuck with the DSP Amp

Currently the only way to add aftermarket amps is to tap
the speaker outputs of the existing amp. Called JL Audio
and asked about this he said it was true of most of the other
new high and mid end cars now too. Everything is digital till the output
of the amp and since the amp is a device hanging off the bus there are two way communications between it and other devices . If its not there it may cause other problems.